Chapter Text
Kira had some downtime to kill after her shift. She wasn't tired and missed certain people that were no longer on the space station. Going to Quark's on Tuesday nights helped to fulfill a void of loneliness and stirred pleasant memories of her meetings in the past on the same day of the week with the former Constable. It was the closest she could come to the good old days. It also benefited her that Quark was both a bartender and possessed sharp Ferengi ears. He was able to provide her with gossip and tips that others couldn't.
"Morn was unusually quiet today," unfortunately Quark seemed as dry of news as Kira's drink.
She sighed, "There must have been something mildly interesting you heard or saw lately! I bought a drink and tipped already. Have your prices gone up for even basic conversation?"
"Well," he struggled to think of something then said, "There was a Cardassian here last night."
At first, Kira was not remotely interested. There was a time when such an announcement would either terrify her or send her into a rage. But it had been years since the Occupation and Cardassians rarely had business on the station these days. They were more likely to remain on Cardassia Prime rebuilding and strengthening their overall civilization. Military power was no longer their sole focus thanks to the new Central Command. The station was a shrine and space port guarded by a solid alliance with the Federation, a seasoned Bajoran militia, and the newly recruited Jem'Hadar warrior monks. If a Cardassian arrived on station security barely took notice and didn't inform the Commander of the station unless it was absolutely necessary.
"So what?" she sipped her drink.
"He bought an appetizer and a single beverage. That wasn't anything remarkable, but I did notice he had a prosthetic arm. He used it to grasp his glass. That must be an incredibly advanced creation. Those things don't usually have the dexterity and delicacy required to handle glass without breaking it."
"I wonder how he came to need it," Kira mused. "A war wound? If so, in which war? The Dominion War, the Klingon War, or was it during the Border Wars and Occupation?"
"He wasn't dressed anything like a soldier."
"No?"
"Could have been an industrial accident. Or he was caught without shelter when the Dominion retaliated against Cardassia Prime," Quark offered.
Kira's eyes narrowed as she took another sip, "Catch this man's name?"
"No."
"Have his receipts with an identifying name or number of some sort?"
"That would be a violation against my customer."
Kira grinned, "Funny how your Rules of Acquisition work, eh?"
"I imagine it wouldn't be hard to spot a Cardi on this station with a missing arm."
"Maybe it would be petty of me to hunt him down without any probable cause."
Quark flashed a yellowed, toothy smile, "Isn't him being Cardassian enough?"
Kira's smile faded, "No. No it isn't anymore."